Buttoned Up: How to pack, spend and study for college

Friday

Jul 29, 2011 at 12:01 AMJul 29, 2011 at 8:31 AM

Getting ready involves much more than going out to buy a shower caddy. To help you get through it without too much fuss, we've put together five simple steps that'll have you heading to college in style.

Sarah Welch and Alicia Rockmore

The lazy, hazy days of summer are wonderfully slow, but if you're heading to college in the fall, the time to move to campus housing will be here before you know it.

Moving to college can be as stressful as writing the perfect college application essay –– especially if you wait until the last minute to get organized.

Take it from two who have been there: You do not want to start off a college career in a discombobulated state or have your last day at home be spent with parents furious at your lack of preparation.

Getting ready involves much more than going out to buy a shower caddy. To help you get through it without too much fuss, we've put together five simple steps that'll have you heading to college in style.

1. Visualize the room and make a checklist. Think about what you'll need when you arrive before you head to the store. If you don't, you'll end up spending more than you need on items you'll never or rarely use. Sketch the floor plan on a piece of paper, and picture what you will need to make the space work. There isn't going to be much storage space in the room, so consider adding to your "must buy" list the tools that will keep clutter from overrunning the room. Most colleges also provide a checklist of items that students need, so be sure to incorporate the school's list with your own. Just remember: Less is more.

2. Plan the move. Unless you are going to college in your hometown, you will need to take a bus, car or maybe even a plane to get there. Figure out the best way to get you and your belongings to school. Does your school have an organized dorm move-in date? Are your parents or siblings coming along to help? If so, do you need a hotel reservation? Think of this move-in adventure like a trip, and plan accordingly.

3. Get your systems set. Plenty of people plan for college by buying new notebooks and some new clothes, but one of the most overlooked yet most important aspects of planning for school is how you're going to set yourself up for success.

For the first time in your life, the responsibility of school falls entirely on your shoulders. It is entirely up to you to dot the i's and cross the t's in your life. Take time to think about how you are going to organize yourself to make the most of college. Whether it means seeking out tutors, signing up for one less class or finding your favorite spot in the library, a little time now can mean a lot to your GPA later.

4. Set up a budget. If you aren't careful, you could end up in a heap of consumer debt –– in addition to any school loans –– by the time you graduate. Don't put yourself in that kind of financial hole. It's bad for your credit and may even hurt your chances of getting a good job after graduation. Sit down with your parents or a financial-assistance adviser, and devise a reasonable budget that allows you to stay on track and have some fun. Be sure to brainstorm ways to say “no” to those credit-card pushers that seem to pop up all over campus.

5. Use those professors.They are there for a reason: you. They're getting paid to make sure that you learn something, so start right away by getting to know your professors and other instructors. Take advantage of that network; visit them during office hours for extra help or advice on other classes. It might just be the smartest thing you do.

The writers are co-founders of Buttoned Up, a company dedicated to helping stressed women get organized. Send ideas and questions to yourlife@getbuttonedup.com. For more columns, go to scrippsnews.com.

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